Thursday, May 4, 2006

The Kentucky Equality Association believes Governor Fletcher violated his oath of office by not vetoing funding to the University of the Cumberlands. By not vetoing the funding, Governor Fletcher has indicated that he has no qualms with the discriminatory practices of the University of the Cumberlands.

The University of the Cumberlands discriminates against homosexuals, and "reserves" the right to discriminate against women in their undergraduate admissions program. The University of the Cumberlands dismissed Jason Johnson after administrators discovered he was homosexual on the popular social networking web site myspace.com. This was reported to the Kentucky Equality Association at 5:18 PM the same day.

Members and friends of the Kentucky Equality Association (legally Federation for Kentucky Equality, Inc.) leaped into action. Our members sent more than 100 emails to Governor Fletcher asking him to veto the $11 million dollars in funding scheduled to go to the private Baptist school. In addition, more than 30 members personally called the First Lady's Office.

The Kentucky Equality Association believes Section 189 of the Kentucky Constitution is very clear to anyone whose first language is English on the constitutionality of funding private, religious schools: "No portion of any fund or tax now existing, or that may hereafter be raised or levied for educational purposes, shall be appropriated to, or used by, or in aid of, any church, sectarian or denominational school."

The Kentucky Equality Association will lead a silent protest march on May 6th during the Governor's Derby Breakfast.

Members of the Kentucky Equality Association attending the protest hereby invoke the following liberties granted by the Kentucky Constitution:

Section 1:
> The right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties.
> The right of freely communicating their thoughts and opinions.
> The right of assembling together in a peaceable manner for their common good, and of applying to those invested with the power of government for redress of grievances or other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance.

Section 4:
> All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety, happiness and the protection of property. For the advancement of these ends, they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may deem proper.

Section 8:
> Printing presses shall be free to every person who undertakes to examine the proceedings of the General Assembly or any branch of government, and no law shall ever be made to restrain the right thereof. Every person may freely and fully speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.

"This isn't a gay issue," stated Jordan Palmer, association president. "We take this as a slap in the face; no government money should be allocated to fund anything that cannot be enjoyed by all citizens of the commonwealth."

Federation Press Office

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Every day, LGBTI people are denied many of the freedoms enjoyed by other Kentuckians. We are committed to secure full equality for the LGBTI community of the Commonwealth. Your support is critical to our success. Please fund our efforts to end discrimination in Kentucky.

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